What is referred to as the radiant temperature?

Radiant temperature specifically refers to the temperature of walls, ceilings, floors, and furnishings. This concept is crucial in understanding thermal comfort in indoor environments, as these surfaces can absorb and emit radiant energy, affecting the overall thermal sensation experienced by occupants. The radiant temperature influences how warmth or coolness is perceived and can significantly impact comfort levels, as well as energy efficiency in heating and cooling systems.

The importance of radiant temperature lies in its interaction with the air temperature and the skin temperature of the occupants. While air temperature is one factor in comfort, radiant temperature provides additional context, as people are not only warmed by the air around them, but also by radiant heat from surfaces in their environment.

In contrast, temperatures related to the body, outdoor conditions, or merely average values for a space do not encapsulate the concept of radiant temperature, which specifically focuses on these essential surfaces that contribute to thermal comfort. Understanding this helps professionals in building analysis to design better insulated, more comfortable indoor environments.